News About His Eminence Metropolitan Philip

Nassif Elias Abdallah Saliba fell asleep in the Lord in Lebanon on Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at age 94. Beloved husband of the late Adma Saliba, he was also the cherished father of five girls: Najat (Nick Nicola) of Danville, California; late Daad (Fayez Chalhoub) of Nakach, Lebanon; Dr. Amal (Dr. Gregory Dalack) of Ann Arbor, Michigan; Bahaa (Gabriel Nasr) of Bickfaya, Lebanon and Attorney Ghada (Nassif Malouf) of San Francisco; Beloved brother of the late Metropolitan Philip Saliba of Thrice-Blessed Memory; Dr. Najib (Elaine) Saliba of Worcester, MA, and the late Chaheed Saliba and Nazira Ibrahim Kfouree. He was loving Jiddo of 13 grandchildren, and great grandfather of two great-grandchildren.

Nassif, most tender of hearts, loved his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren so dearly. Hehad a great relationship with many patriarchs, metropolitans, and clergy of the Antiochian Patriarchate, and defended the church and his Orthodox Faith on many occasions. The Funeral Service will be on SaturdayApril 2 at 4:00 pm at St. Nicholas church, Shreen, Lebanon. The Saliba family will receive relatives and friends on Friday and Sunday, April 1 and 3, 2016, between 10:00 am, and 7:00pm at their home in Shreen and on Saturday, April 2, at the hall of St. Nicholas in Shreen.

Thursday, March 19, 2015, marked the one year anniversary of the repose of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory. On Sunday, March 22, His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph celebrated the Divine Liturgy and one year memorial for Metropolitan Philip at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn. In his eulogy, Metropolitan Joseph spoke about the many accomplishments of Sayidna Philip over 48 years, but in the end reminded the faithful that ultimately his desire to build up the Archdiocese and its institutions was driven by his desire to bring people closer to Christ so that the Orthodox faith could manifest itself on this continent.

His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America also attended and, after concelebrating the memorial, gave a wonderful homily recalling his many years of working with our late Metropolitan in both SCOBA and the Assembly of Bishops. He remembered both his strong convictions and beliefs as well as his love and ability to cooperate.

Greetings to you and your families as we begin our season of fasting, prayer and almsgiving. I pray you are having a blessed beginning of the Fast.

March 19 will mark the one-year anniversary of the falling-asleep of our beloved Metropolitan PHILIP of thrice-blessed memory. It is hard to believe a whole year has already passed since our father and chief-shepherd of more than 48 years reposed. His life and legacy will continue to be with us and inspire us for many years to come. May God rest his soul with the saints and may his memory be eternal!

So that we might commemorate this anniversary in a unified way, I am directing all of our hierarchs and clergy to hold Trisagion Prayers of Mercy in their respective parishes throughout the entire archdiocese on Sunday, March 22 (the Fourth Sunday of the Fast) at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

I will preside over the official memorial at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY on that Sunday along with several guest hierarchs from our sister jurisdictions.

On the eve of the Antiochian Unity Conference convened by Patriarch John X and meeting at Balamand Seminary in Lebanon on June 26, 2014, it is fitting to reflect on our North American Antiochian Orthodox journey. Honorary Member of the Archdiocese's Board of Trustees Dr. Eugene J. Sayfie offered this intimate portrait of friendship and honor in his recent tribute published in The Word, June 2014.

Honorable hierarchs, beloved reverend Father, esteemed fellow members of the Board of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, brothers and sisters in Christ: I come to tell you a story of the journey of a great man and a friend. It is a story of work, service, determination, friendship, joy, love, and ultimately honor.

The great man was born in the hills of Lebanon. The friend was born in the hills of West Virginia.

With a peaceful heart, I am writing these lines upon commemorating the 40th Day memorial service for the eternal repose of the soul of His Eminence, Metropolitan Philip of New York and all North America.

On this occasion, I am wondering about the most precious thing that God ever granted to man: his heart. If any of us watches himself, he realizes what kind of “work” takes place there, a work of love and unity. Parents are aware of such work, because life and experience shape them in such a way that they are called to overcome themselves, be attentive, take care, be responsible, and be able to sacrifice themselves for another's sake. They learn to love and understand, to some extent, what love is about.

As per the instructions from His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina, Patriarchal Vicar for the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America:

Since the fortieth day of the repose of Metropolitan Philip of thrice-blessed memory coincides with Thomas Sunday (a day on which memorials may not be served), Fortieth Day Trisagion Prayers of Mercy for Metropolitan Philip are to be prayed (with kollyva) in all cathedrals, parish church temples, and monasteries of our Archdiocese on the Sunday of the Myrrhbearing Women, May 4, 2014.

The following video was recorded March 29, 2014, at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. It was broadcast live on Noursat | Tele Lumiere television, and streamed online. This recording has been provided courtesy of Noursat.

Memorial services for our departed Metropolitan Philip were held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY, March 26, to March 30. His Eminence was laid to rest at Antiochian Village on Monday, March 31. May his memory be eternal!

We ask for your continued prayers for the repose of our beloved Primate, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, as he is laid to rest today at Antiochian Village in Bolivar, Pennsylvania, after almost 50 years of leadership. Learn more about the life and legacy of Metropolitan Philip here. Video, photography and written material regarding the memorial services of the past days are being prepared for release. We ask for your prayers as well for safe travels for all those returning from the events honoring Metropolitan Philip. Memory eternal!

One of the things dearest to Metropolitan Philip's heart was the care of his clergy and their wives during the winter years of their lives so that they could live with dignity. In light of that, he wanted memorial donations to be given to the Clergy Retirement Fund of the Archdiocese. Donations received through this simple and secure online donation form will go to benefit the Fund.

Our thanks to the team at AntiochianEvents.org for preparing this resource.

We are grateful to the community of St. Nicholas Cathedral of Brooklyn, NY and all those who have labored to organize and record the memorial events honoring the repose of our beloved Primate, His Eminence Metropolitan Philip. Following are photographs from the Friday, March 28, funeral for a bishop. Many more photos are being prepared for release, including from Saturday's main funeral service, now concluded. May his memory be eternal!

See this page for all details regarding this week's memorial services for Metropolitan Philip. Recent updates include details on all events at Antiochian Village, as well as a highly-recommended parking information sheet for all those planning on attending weekend memorial services at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn.

Beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Time on Saturday, March 29, the Divine Liturgy and Funeral Services for Metropolitan Philip will be broadcast by Noursat/Tele Lumiere from St. Nicholas Cathedral. Online video-streaming details are being finalized.

As hierarchs and clergy begin arriving for the wake and funeral of our beloved Metropolitan Philip, His Eminence Metropolitan Silouan, the Patriarchal Vicar, and His Grace Bishop Anthony celebrated the Divine Liturgy for the Great Feast of the Annunciation this morning. After the liturgy, the hierarchs and clergy went to the funeral home to vest Metropolitan Philip in his hierarchical vestments. Memory eternal!

Noursat | Tele Lumiere, Christian television for Lebanon and the Middle East, will broadcast the Saturday March 29 Memorial Services for His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, beginning at 9 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, with the Divine Liturgy followed by the funeral.

More details about media coverage of next week's events will be announced once they are finalized.

The Archdiocese is deeply grateful for the wide range of tributes to His Eminence Metropolitan Philip which have begun to follow his repose. This collection of tributes from religious leaders, media outlets, and international sources will continue to be expanded.

Below, we highlight three videos of His Eminence. The first is from Pascha 2011 at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, NY. The second video was prepared in honor of Metropolitan Philip's 80th birthday, and was presented with these remarks by Fr. Anthony Gabriel at the 2011 Archdiocese Convention. The third was originally prepared by Fr. Ayman Kfouf of St. George Church of Troy, MI in honor of Metropolitan Philip's historic 2013 visit. This video was played during the last official, celebrational pastoral visit of His Eminence before his falling asleep.

In honor of Metropolitan Philip Saliba, Ancient Faith Today with Kevin Allen will present a special live tribute program. Kevin will be joined by Father Wayne Wilson, an ex-bishop of the "Evangelical Orthodox Church" and now Antiochian priest, and Father Thomas Zain (Vicar-General of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America), for a discussion of the life and legacy of the beloved Metropolitan. Listen live on Sunday, March 23 at 5:00 pm Pacific/6:00 pm Mountain/7:00 pm Central/8:00 pm Eastern. Listen live by pointing your internet browser to www.ancientfaith.com and clicking on the "talk" button.

Archbishop Demetrios and Metropolitan Philip in 2004Blessed are those who die in the Lord from now on...for they will rest from their labors; for their works follow them (Revelation 14:13)

To the Most Reverend Hierarchs, Priests and Deacons, the Monks and Nuns, the Presidents and Members of Parish Councils, the Day, Afternoon, and Church Schools, the Members of Philanthropic Organizations, the Youth and Youth Workers, and the entire Antiochian Orthodox Christian Family of North America.

On the evening of March 19, 2014 we received the sad news of the passing of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip, our dear and beloved brother and concelebrant in Christ. The repose of His Eminence, being sudden and unexpected, caused a profound pain in my heart and the entire Orthodox Christian family in the United States of America.

For more than 15 years I have had the opportunity and privilege to work closely with Metropolitan Philip. As the First Vice-Chairman of SCOBA and most recently as the First Vice-Chairman of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of North and Central America, he passionately supported a common witness to our Orthodox faith in the world. It is well known that he spoke his mind openly on a number of important issues and would often challenge inactivity surrounding serious issues, which he felt Orthodoxy could address in unique and important ways.

But in essence, the very characteristic of Metropolitan Philip was his identity as a shepherd, a father who cared for and labored diligently for his flock.

“Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of the same mind one with another according to Christ Jesus” (Romans 15:5)

With a heart grateful to our Lord and to your very beloved pastor who gave me the opportunity to come to know you during the last three years, I present to you my heartfelt condolences for the falling asleep in Christ of His Eminence Metropolitan Philip. We all pray together for the rest in peace of his soul and that his memory be eternal.

I am very surprised that the Lord's Providence permitted that I may serve you under such a painful and difficult circumstance, i.e. the loss of your beloved pastor, until a new Metropolitan be elected for your God-protected Archdiocese. Indeed, my appointment as Patriarchal Vicar, by His Beatitude Patriarch John X of Antioch, is an obedience of love and an opportunity to serve your church, and to preserve your bond of love, peace, service and unity in Christ.

May our Lord bless all of us in this period of great lent, as we are heading to His Holy Passion in order to share His glorious Resurrection.

Metropolitan Philip's memorial photo at St. Nicholas CathedralThe schedule for all events associated with the falling asleep of Metropolitan Philip is available here. All events will be held at St. Nicholas Cathedral in Brooklyn, New York and Antiochian Village. Find hotel and parking information below.

The Archdiocese communicates with a heavy heart as we struggle with the news of the falling asleep in Christ of Metropolitan Philip. May his memory be eternal!

We express our sincerest appreciation to our Father in Christ, His Beatitude Patriarch John X, for his pastoral care and love. His Beatitude was in continual contact with us, and with Metropolitan Philip during his hospital stay, and showed his love and concern for his spiritual children in North America. For this, we are most grateful. May the memory of Metropolitan Philip be eternal, and may God grant many years to His Beatitude Patriarch John.

Both letters appoint Metropolitan Silouan of Buenos Aires and all Argentina as the Patriarchal Vicar until such time as a new Metropolitan is elected by the Holy Synod of Antioch. The Patriarchal Vicar is responsible for the administration of the Archdiocese until a new Metropolitan is elected. Archbishop Joseph will serve as the Locum Tenens of the Archdiocese. Archbishop Joseph will arrive in New Jersey on Friday March 21, and Metropolitan Silouan will arrive on Monday March 24.

Visit the Metropolitan Philip Memorial Page of Antiochian.org for information on the life, work and passing of our beloved Primate. A biography, news archives, reflections on and by Metropolitan Philip, links to video and audio, photo galleries and more are currently available or being prepared.

Listen to a historic Ancient Faith Radio interview from 2009 of Metropolitan Philip conducted by Fr. Peter Gillquist, of blessed memory. Metropolitan Philip talks candidly about such things as Orthodox unity, music, our witness to the world, and his most memorable accomplishments.

The Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, with great sadness, announces the passing unto life eternal of His Eminence the Most Reverend Metropolitan Philip (Saliba), Archbishop of New York and Metropolitan of All North America. May his memory be eternal! Details are forthcoming. Read a biography of Metropolitan Philip here. See all information on His Eminence here.